Annual report. [1946]

26

LEARNINGG TO LIVE'

26 LEARNING TO LIVE

the eighth grade, the typical child in the
Detroit. schools has taken thirty-nine different standardized tests, in addition to the
numerous teacher tests which are given
from week to week or month to month. A
special reading survey was conducted in
February of this year. A standard test was
given to all 8A pupils in the public schools.
The major purpose of this survey was to
determine how well Detroit pupils read in
comparison with pupils in other school
systems throughout the nation. Results of
nearly 8,000 tests administered to as many
pupils, revealed that the average reading
ability of Detroit's 8A pupil is one month
(one-tenth of the school year) above the
national average.
Is Algebra Worthwhile?
In the field of mathematics, investigations
of the department over a period of years
show that there is an unusually high rate of
failure in ninth grade algebra. Teachers
report that a large number of students need
special help in order to meet the requirements of the course. They also report that a
large number of students gain little that
is educationally worthwhile from formal
instruction in algebra. With these practical
criticisms and considerations as a starting
point, the Department of Research, in
cooperation with the Department of Exact
Sciences and with the various intermediate
and high schools in the city, undertook an
extensive study of algebra aptitude. A test
was developed to determine pupil chances
of doing satisfactory work in the regular
ninth grade algebra course. The test was
then used experimentally in several high
schools to determine how accurately predictions could be made regarding the degree
of success the pupil might realize upon
undertaking the study of algebra. Extensive
information was collected and summarized

for each of approximately 600 ninth grade
students who were tested before and after
they had taken an algebra course. Results
disclose that reasonably accurate predictions
can be made regarding the probable success
of a particular student in the study of
algebra. Mathematics courses are being
developed which, it is thought, will prove
more useful to the majority of students
whose educational goal does not demand the
study of algebra, and whose interests and
aptitudes make it unlikely that they would
profit from a study of this subject.
No system of education can be better
than its teachers. In view of this, the teacher
selection process in Detroit undergoes continuous development in line with the findings of research and the study of personnel
practices. During the year the department,
in cooperation with the Division of Personnel and the Psychological Clinic, inaugurated a'comprehensive study and appraisal
of the procedures now used in selecting
applicants for teaching positions. The major
job in this study was that of determining
what particular factors in the previous
history of the teacher applicant had the
greatest value in predicting the applicant's
success in Detroit's classrooms.
A city-wide testing program under the
direction of the Department of Research
provides for all schools a series of tests in
reading, arithmetic, English, and handwriting. Vocational subjects are represented
by tests in Household Mechanics, Freehand
Drawing, General Woodwork, General
Metals, and Shop Safety Procedures. In
addition to the three R's of the elementary
schools, tests are provided for the secondary
schools in reading, English, algebra, chemistry, and physics.
Progress through applications of the findings of research has become somewhat of a
byword in Detroit schools.